Tauranga Housing shortage

Clayton Mitchell New Zealand First MP. Photo/Andrew Warner

I was really concerned to hear state housing tenants and other local Tauranga residents crying out with fear and anxiety over the impending state housing sales.

I am firmly opposed to the sale of state houses. Government, not business - and certainly not foreign business, is best placed to look after our society's most vulnerable. Putting an end to the state housing sales would provide the most obvious relief to the concerns being expressed by tenants and other residents alike.

While we continue challenging the Government to stop the sale of state housing, I am also working to bring some clarity to the concerns being shared.

I've contacted the Transactions Unit in the Treasury Department, as they're in charge of the sale. The Unit stated that provisions have been made stating that tenants will not be evicted and rent will not be increased. Where properties need redevelopment and tenants need to be temporarily moved, the Landlord will be required to provide alternate accommodation, after which the tenant should be allowed back into the new unit.

Unfortunately, the reality of the Tauranga housing crisis today means that there is no available accommodation - temporary or otherwise - into which tenants could be shifted. It's this understanding of the housing shortage that gives rise to some of the anxiety and distrust state housing tenants are feeling.

In the midst of a severe housing shortage, we need more social housing before we can shift tenants to redevelop their current homes. This requires a real solution.

Rather than addressing these concerns, the current Tauranga MP applauds himself for the state of Tauranga's social housing.

Fortunately, Tauranga has more than one voice in Parliament and the Bay.

I will continue to work closely with members of our community willing to use common sense to create solutions to the very real challenges we are facing. It's time to get real.